The short answer: Keep your job while you test the idea. First check your employment agreement for intellectual property and non-compete terms, then talk to potential customers before you build. For the first prototype, the Israel Innovation Authority's Tnufa track funds up to 80% of a proof-of-concept budget, up to NIS 200,000, and you can apply without leaving your job. Once you know what you are building, choose the support that fits: a paid strategy session for a sharp plan, an incubator for deep tech and hardware, or a venture studio for a partner inside the company.
Five steps before you quit
- 1. Read your employment agreement.Look for the clauses on intellectual property, confidentiality and non-compete, and keep the new work off your employer's time, equipment and code. If anything is unclear, pay for an hour with a startup lawyer now. It is far cheaper than a dispute later.
- 2. Start from a problem you know.Years in operations, procurement, sales or engineering are an advantage: you know whose day is hard and why. Write down the problem in one sentence and the people who feel it most.
- 3. Talk to customers before you build.Aim for 15 to 20 conversations with the people who have the problem. You are looking for the same pain repeated, a budget, and someone willing to try an early version.
- 4. Decide on a co-founder.Many investors prefer a team, and the right partner covers what you lack. Our guide on choosing a co-founder or a first hire covers what to test before you commit.
- 5. Fund the first step without raising.Tnufa, your own savings and a part-time period can carry you to a prototype and first users. Raising before you have proof usually costs more equity than it should.
The paths before you have a company
| Path | What you get | Cost | Fits when |
|---|---|---|---|
| A paid strategy session | An outside view, priorities and a written plan | A one-off fee | You have a direction and want a sharp plan before you commit |
| Innovation Authority Tnufa | Up to 80% of a proof-of-concept budget, max NIS 200,000 over 12 months | No equity; royalties only if the product earns revenue | You can build a first prototype, and you can apply without leaving your job |
| 8200 EISP | Mentoring, workshops, alumni network and investor access | No investment and no equity | You have a team and an early product and want to stay in Israel |
| Innovation Authority incubator | Up to 85% of the approved budget, plus space and mentoring | The incubator takes shares for its 15% | Deep tech, medical devices, climate or hardware |
| A venture studio | A partner working inside the company every week | Equity, terms vary by studio | You want a hands-on partner on customers, go-to-market and the round |
| Entrepreneur First, Antler, South Park Commons | A co-founder search and a first check abroad | Equity; for example $125K for 8% at EF | You have no co-founder or idea yet and can relocate for a few months |
How to choose
If you already know the problem and need a plan, a focused paid session is the fastest way to get one. If you are building hardware, medical devices or deep tech, start with Tnufa and then the Innovation Authority incubators. If you have a team and an early product and want a partner beside you on customers and the round, read our guide to venture studios in Israel. If you have no idea or co-founder yet and can move for a few months, programs such as Entrepreneur First and Antler are built for that stage. Whichever path you take, keep the job until the customer conversations give you a reason to leave it.
Sources
- Israel Innovation Authority, Tnufa track, Startup Fund (Hebrew) (checked November 1, 2026)
- Israel Innovation Authority, Technological incubators (Hebrew) (checked November 1, 2026)
- EISP accelerator, 8200 Alumni Association (checked November 1, 2026)
- Entrepreneur First: US FAQ (checked November 1, 2026)
- Antler: US (checked November 1, 2026)
- South Park Commons: F26 Founder Fellowship, July 8, 2026 (checked November 1, 2026)